A Canvas for Canadian History: Discover Canada's 25-cent Coin

The plan was in motion to introduce a fleet of Canadian coins that included a 1-, 5-, 10-, 25- and 50-cent piece. However, without a mint on Canadian soil, Canadians had to wait while the Royal Mint prepared the new coins. Meanwhile, the urgent demand for coins continued to grow and the particular need for a 25-cent coin was high. As a temporary solution, the Canadian government issued a 25-cent banknote, known as the “shinplaster”. The shinplaster and 25-cent coin, which arrived in 1870, circulated together until 1923.

A Canadian Quarter at last

Spending a quarter of a dollar today looks much different than it did in 1870. Not only has the shinplaster been removed, but the reverse design of the coin has evolved. After a near century of it featuring crossed maple boughs, officials decided to modernize all coins images with designs that were truly Canadian.

In 1937, following a long process that would decide the pictorial fate of our coins, the caribou found a permanent home on the 25-cent piece. But, did you know, officials at that time were considering Bluenose for the 25-cent piece, and the caribou for the 5-cent piece? Both Bluenose and caribou designs were by Canadian artist Emmanuel Hanh.

Canada’s 25-cent coin marks many firsts

1967 The first change to the coin’s design came in 1967 on the dawn of the county’s 100th centennial. Canadian artist, Alex Colville’s winning design of a bobcat replaced the caribou for the very first time.

1992 The first time a single coin featured multiple designs came 25 years later, in celebration of the 125th anniversary of Confederation. A new 25-cent coin, one for each of Canada’s then 12 provinces and territories, was issued each month in 1992.

2004 The Canadian quarter became the world’s first coloured circulation coin in 2004. To showcase this technological first, Canada’s symbol of Remembrance (the poppy) was selected for the design and painted red. This technology was so new and unfamiliar that some thought it to be a spy coin.

2007 The quarter also became the world’s first circulation coin to commemorate the Paralympic Games. A 2007-dated coin, highlighting wheelchair curling and the Paralympic logo, celebrates the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

2009 Cindy Klassen’s performance at the 2006 Turin Games not only earned her five podium finishes, but also a permanent place on the 2009 25-cent coin. This marked the first time that the likeliness of a Canadian female was etched on a circulation coin.

2012 Though collector coins have honoured Canada’s Indigenous culture and history, the first time the likeliness of an Indigenous person appeared on a circulation coin was in 2012. Shawnee Chief Tecumseh played an instrumental role during the War of 1812 and is remembered on the quarter.

2017 The youngest artist to find their initials on a coin is Joelle Wong. Joelle was eight years old when she submitted her winning design, which eventually found a spot on the 2017 25-cent circulation coin that celebrated the 150th anniversary of Confederation.